(A/N-Well here is the third Christmas story. Big thanks to Bekki for beta reading this for me and I hope you all enjoy this.)
Tobias Eaton was about to finish a long day at his law office, he was in the process of wrapping up a huge case which had taken him the last four months to complete plus the end of the year was winding down. He felt like he had defended his client to the best of his ability and would hope the jury would see the truth as well. He needed these papers to be sent out immediately, so he opened his office door and was going to have his secretary send them for him.
"Tris," Tobias said as he saw her turn her head. There she was sitting at her desk with a poinsettia plant on the edge, it was almost Christmas.
"Yes, Mr. Eaton,?" Tris said softly.
"I need these sent over to the courthouse immediately," Tobias said as he put the papers out for her to take from him.
"I will, Mr. Eaton," Tris said as she put a hand out to get the papers. As she had them, their fingers brushed one another, sending a surge of energy through her, making her gasp just a little.
For Tobias, he too felt the excitement course through him. Since he had hired her almost a year ago he had thought often of his somewhat nerdy secretary. She always wore sensible outfits to work, never showing off anything, frustrating him to a degree like he had never known. Her hair was always done up in a bun, he wanted her to wear it down more often. He wanted to run his hands through it. And those lips of hers, lips that she did paint red at times. He had been drawn to her like a moth to the flame since he had first met her. So much so that the first day he had been so affected by her, he had wanted to rip up that long skirt of hers and throw her on his desk and...
Tobias looked at those lips, then up into those warm, gorgeous eyes of hers, eyes that were looking at him with a question in them, he then realized he had not let go of the papers."Sorry about that, but please send these over before you leave." he let go of the papers and headed back to his office, but turned back once more, "And you can call me Tobias when we're not in meetings and such."
Tris smiled softly and let out a breath as he closed his office door. The man had affected her since the day she had come in for an interview, she often would catch herself becoming lost in his eyes as he would talk and she would take notes for him, hoping that she would not forget to write down anything. And just now, feeling the touch of his skin was almost...magical.
She knew this was forbidden to be attracted to her boss, knew that it would only end badly if either acted on it. If she was being truthful, she knew it was more than just being attrcted to him, she was in love with Tobias Eaton. She had tried to be as less attractable as possible, she had not felt anything for anyone in a long time, until she had met Tobias. This job was important to her as she was supporting her older father and his gambling debts he had occurred when he had been an alcoholic. She knew those debts were not hers, but she loved her father dearly and would help in any way she could.
She left her desk and sent the papers over to the courthouse immediately. She looked around and smelled the papers, they even smelled like Tobias. She knew it was foolish to be so attracted to someone who was way out of her league. She shook her head as she headed back to her desk, it was almost five and she would be leaving and going home soon.
A little while later she was just about to grab her purse when Tobias' office opened and he said,"Tris, do you have plans tomorrow night?"
Tris felt her heart literally stop, was he...was he asking her out? "Uh, no." was all she could get out.
"Great, I've been invited to an art gallery showing tomorrow night, that a colleague is having, and I would like you to be there with me," Tobias said.
Tris didn't say anything, was it a date? Or just something else? Why did he ask her to go?
"Tris?" Tobias' voice called out, causing her to snap out of her thoughts.
"I..." Tris stammered.
You can do this, she told herself. He was just her boss.
Lies! her mind whispered. All lies. Not even ones she could convince herself about. Tobias was more than just her boss. He was the first man in years who had been able to knock down her stone walls she had put around herself. One smile from him and her knees grew weak. One glance from his startling blue eyes and her long dormant hormones began a rumba!
But she had spent the last few years rebuilding her family's lives. And she knew she couldn't afford to let her attraction for this man destroy all that hard work.
"Tris, are you alright?" Tobias asked, causing her to look at him.
"I'm sorry, yes I'm alright and yes I will attend with you," Tris answered. "Where is the showing and what time do I need to be there?"
"I'll pick you up say... at seven?" Tobias asked.
"No!" Tris answered suddenly causing Tobias to give her a look. "What I mean is I can meet you wherever it is."
"Tris, I'm having a limo drive me there, just let me pick you up and we can go together," Tobias said, wondering why her sudden outburst a few seconds ago.
Tris thought quickly of how to get out of this,"Alright, but I have moved since I started here and my address is 319 Gambit Lane." Giving the address of a friend and her boyfriend, she would call Christina once she was on her way home.
"Got it, and make sure you update your information with personnel," Tobias said.
"What should I wear?" Tris asked.
Tobias let his mind go to another place, thinking she should wear...nothing! But he didn't want other men to see her like that. But wait, did she even have someone already in her life? Maybe after she relaxed with him at the gallery he could find out.
"A cocktail dress would be appropriate," Tobias answered, hoping she had one dress that would show off what he knew were killer legs under those slacks and long skirts of hers. "Something with some color as well."
"Alright, I'll be ready then," Tris answered, swallowing.
"Excellent, have a good rest of the evening," Tobias said as he smiled and returned to his office. Once inside he gave a fist pump to himself, thinking he finally had found a way to ask her out on a date, not that it was a date, date. He hoped this would be a step in the right direction and that she would eventually agree to a real date with him, one where he could woo her properly. He was in love with her and wanted to take a chance on her.
"Careful, Tobias, let's not get too head of ourselves," he said to himself, as he called a limo company and made sure to have the transportation arranged, along with some chilled champagne and fresh fruit for them on the way.
*********PAGEBREAK*******
Five minutes later Tris was running towards the bus to catch, as she settled onto her seat she took out her phone and called her friend immediately,"Christina, I need a huge favor." She then proceeded to tell her all of what had happened, and how she needed to stay at her and Will's place till Tobias picked her up, Christina agreed.
The next evening, Tris was a body of nerves, she had almost called Tobias and told him she was sick, a friend was sick, her neighbor's dog was sick, anything to get out of this, but here she was in a red cocktail dress with red high heels and her hair down in loose curls. Her makeup was flawless, Christina had insisted she wear red lipstick. She was pacing back and forth in Christina's bedroom.
"If you keep doing that, we're going to need new floors," Christina said.
"I can't do this," Tris said.
"Nonsense, he asked you to go with him, so have fun tonight," Christina said, "and I mean a lot of fun."
"It's not like that," Tris insisted.
"Not until he sees you like that," Christina said with a laugh, "when he sees you in that dress, he's not going to stop until that dress is on his bedroom floor."
Tris rolled her eyes at her friend and took a few deep breaths. She could do this, it was an art gallery, perfectly innocent.
The hell you say, she thought!
Ten minutes later there was the sound of the doorbell, Will went to go answer it with a wink at Tris,"Can I help you?" Will asked Tobias who was standing there.
"I'm Tobias Eaton, I'm here for Tris," Tobias answered as he eyed the man. Was this someone in Tri's life?
"Aw, well come in, the name is Will," he said as he allowed Tobias to enter.
"You live here?" Tobias asked.
"Yes, me and my girlfriend," Will answered.
His answer deflated Tobias. So he was Tris' boyfriend, he wouldn't infringe on another man's lady. He would have to keep this strictly business with Tris. Until she walked into the living room before him...
Business my arse!
She was...gorgeous, stunning, sexy.
"Tris, you look….", Tobias stammered.
"Beautiful," Will whispered from behind him and gave him a small shove.
"Very much so," Tobias agreed, he was standing only a few feet from her now.
"Thank you," Tris said.
"I've been telling her that for an hour now," Christina said as she walked into the room to stand beside Tris,"I'm Christina, a friend of Tris'. I've been looking forward to meeting you for a very long time." Tris quickly nudged her with her elbow.
"It's nice to meet you, Christina," Tobias said as Christina walked over to Will who put his arm around her.
Tobias has to ask. "So you three all live here?"
"Yes, yes we do," Christina said as she winked at Tris.
"Shall we go?" Tris asked as she grabbed her coat and headed for the door. Tobias opened it and they headed for his limo.
"Don't forget protection lass!" Will yelled out from the doorway, as Christina then elbowed him in his gut.
The limo driver opened the door for Tris who settled in the back, Tobias then slid down next to her, and the door was closed behind him. This was it. It was just the two of them.
"I'm sorry about Will, he can be childish at times," Tris said.
"I bet more than at times," Tobias said as he patted her knee with his hand without even thinking. When she didn't remove his hand, he left it there.
"I'm glad you agreed to come to this with me," Tobias said.
"I'm sure you would have found suitable company if I hadn't though," Tris said.
"But there is only one Tris Prior," Tobias said, causing Tris' cheeks to burn. "I want to thank you for coming with me tonight, sorry that it was so last minute."
"That's fine," Tris said, as her fingers gripped the end of her dress.
"I hope that this didn't interfere with any evening plans of yours," Tobias said as he raised his eyebrows at her. He was trying to be subtle about asking her if there was anyone in her life, any lover that is.
"No, I have no plans in the evenings, except watching Outlander on my couch," Tris answered.
"Your couch? So you sleep on the couch?" Tobias asked.
Tris winced as she realized her mistake, she did watch Outlander on her couch, but it was in her apartment she shared with her father, who at the time was in a rehab clinic, getting cleaned up from his addiction to alcohol. "They tend to spend a lot of time in the bedroom," Tris closed her eyes and wanted to just wave her arms and vanish.
Tobias smiled at her words,"Not that I blame them, nothing wrong with spending time in the bedroom with a beautiful woman."
Tris looked over at him, and saw the way he was looking at her, wait was he...flirting with her? She smiled softly, then shifted her gaze but could feel his eyes on her as the limo drove for another ten minutes before finally arriving at their destination.
Tobias helped Tris out of the limo and put his arm out for her to slip hers into as they entered the gallery. Many a head turned to look at the beautiful couple, even though they were not a real couple.
"Just smile, and they'll think you own the place," Tobias whispered into her ear, he could tell she was nervous about being here. Tris did and together they made their way around the room, chatting with numerous colleagues of Tobias, many not realizing that she was his secretary. Tris looked around the room, which was decorated with Christmas trees and poinsettias all over. As they walked around the gallery, both admiring the breathtaking artwork, they came across one piece named the lovers, it was a couple in an embrace the male's lips only inches from his lover.
An hour passed, then two and they continued to work the room. Tris had basically charmed all his colleagues, she was elegant and poised, not appearing nervous in the slightest. She might have thought she was out of her element but she was a natural, she had that special something that drew people to her, not just her beauty but her inner soul.
"And where have you been hiding this treasure," Zeke Pedrad asked as he came up to them.
"I've known Tris for a little while now," Tobias coyly answered. Zeke had been to his office many times, as they were thicker than thieves at times.
"You always did have all the luck," Zeke said as he bowed and took Tris' hand and kissed it,"Zeke Pedrad, my lady."
Tris smiled at the other man,"It's nice meeting you, but if you two will excuse me I'm going to go grab a glass of champagne." She turned and walked away as she headed towards a small bar that had been set up.
Zeke watched Tobias, watch Tris walking away from them, he let out a low whistle,"You've got it bad, which I get."
Tobias didn't turn his gaze from Tris' form at he bar, he watched as she chatted with the bartender who was pouring her a glass of champagne. There was a vibrancy to her that she had not allowed to be shown before, it held his gaze whenever he thought about dragging it away. How would it feel to hold all the vibrancy in his arm? Her kisses would be filled with passion, he just knew it, and in his bed...Tobias held back a groan as he knew he couldn't get too carried away.
"Yep, you've got it really bad for her," Zeke commented, this time getting Tobias' attention fully. "Why have you been hiding her?"
"I haven't been hiding her," Tobias said with a smile, if Zeke only knew that every time he came to Tobias' office, he passed by Tris.
"Better be on your toes then, as there is Eric Coulter with her," Zeke's warning caused Tobias to look quickly at Tris, he saw her start to move pass Eric, only to have Eric put his hands on her to stop her. How dare the bastard lay one finger on her!
Tobias wasted no time, and quickly made his way over to Tris,"Tris, would you like some more champagne?" Tobias asked as he put his arm around her waist to pull her to his side.
Before Tris could say anything, Eric spoke up,"Eaton, I should have known."
"Coulter," Tobias said with a bite to his sound.
"I was just offering to get Tris here a drink," Eric said.
"I'm afraid we were just leaving, enjoy your evening," Tobias said as he started walking towards the exit of the gallery.
"Mr. Eaton, I'm so sorry about-" Tris' words were cut off.
"Let's get in the limo," Tobias said as his driver pulled up and once they were seated, the driver started heading towards where he picked Tris up.
"Eric is a real jerk. I'm sorry he bothered you," Tobias said.
"I hope I haven't caused a problem," Tris said.
"There was always bad blood between the two of us, trust me if I never have to deal with him again, I'll never regret it," Tobias said, rubbing her forearms, hoping she would open up to him some more.
Instead she said nothing on the way back home, once they arrived back at Christina and Will's he walked her up to the door. When Tobias stopped at the door, he happened to look up and saw something that wasn't there before when he had arrived to pick Tris up.
Mistletoe!
He looked down into her eyes, her big expressive eyes, usually so light and sultry were darker now, like the underside of a thunderhead. She looked at him with lips that trembled, and he wanted to still them with his. He wanted to reassure her that everything was going to be alright. Her eyes, her face, her lips, her soul cried out to him and this time he answered what his heart and his own soul had been screaming for him to do for months. He put his right hand on the side of her face and lowered his head, lightly brushing his lips against her, it seemed so natural. So he did so again, once, twice more. Then her lips parted, and he closed his mouth over hers, letting his tongue slide inside her mouth.
Fire burst in his belly, hot and sweet, like the taste of her. He kissed her deeper, pulling her closer to him, and felt his blood rush and pound through his veins. He felt her hands raise and clutch at his arms. For a moment, he feared she might push him aside, and he vowed he would let her go if she did. Her lips were hesitant against his, as if she was unsure of what to do. He was her boss, she was his employee, yet the thought of tearing his lips from hers left him feeling bleak and empty.
Then she was kissing him back, robbing him of breath, stealing whatever good sense he had left that told him to stop this. She moved against him and the fire in his belly slid lower. An ache, hard and urgent, settled in his loins. Gods, but she felt so right being in his arms, like she's been shaped from the finiest silk specifically to fit against him, soft where he was hard, woman where he was man.
Tris' mind was in complete shock, Tobias Eaton, her boss, was kissing her! The man she had dreamed about many a night, the man she had masturbated to many times, was kissing her! She had never felt anything quite so right in all her life. She moaned when his lips left hers, and caressed the bare flesh of her neck. The throbbing heat that seem centered in the valley of her tightly closed legs raced upward, scorching her nipples into a hardened response.
She dug her fingers into his shoulders, overwhelmed by the intensity of the desire surging through her. She tensed, her fingers digging deeper, when his mouth opened on her neck and started sucking on her neck. He continued to do so, her head was thrown back, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the sensations he was causing her. His lips moved back to hers once more, and he was groaning, and so was she, and she reveled in it.
When he finally pulled away his soft lips from hers, he simply stroked her cheek with his fingers, as if to say he knew this thing was bigger than both of them.
"I apologize, but I couldn't resist." Tobias was saying as raised his head to show her why. Tris looked up and saw the sprig of mistletoe, obviously left there by Christina.
Tobias was a little worried as Tris was silent. She had been receptive to his kiss, their kiss.
Their first kiss, one of many he hoped.
"Tris, if any of this is uncomfortable for you, tell me now," Tobias said.
Tris took a deep breath and released it, taking a chance she told him,"I've wanted you to kiss me for quite some time now." she admitted to him.
Tobias let out a soft laugh, and bit his lower lip as he smiled at her. He then slowly lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her again. As he gently explored the contours of her lips, his mouth so firm on hers.
Tris found her hands were on his shoulders, her hands sliding from his shoulders to his head, her fingers threading through the crisp softness of his hair as her mouth opened under his like a flower in the sun, and the gentle touch of his tongue to hers sent her body spinning into a deep whirlpool of sudden intense feelings. When she moved her body closer to his, wanting more contact with him, she felt him put a stop to it. She opened her eyes and looked up at him in confusion.
"We have all the time in the world," Tobias said. He had wanted to tell his driver to drive them to his home, but he knew he had to control himself. The woman of his dreams was in his arms, was receptive to his embrace, his kisses. He was not going to blow this chance with her.
"I don't want this to be taken lightly or have you regret our kiss," Tobias said.
"I don't regret. I've thought about-" she stopped talking and blushed after seeing the smile grow on his face.
"It's been the same for me," Tobias said. "I want you to think about all this tonight and I would like to take you out sometime if you agree. But regardless of what you decide, your job is safe, I promise."
Tris nodded. She already knew what her answer was going to be. But best to let him also think this over.
"Now, I will bid you good night and I'll see you in the office Monday morning," Tobias said as he leaned in and kissed her cheek lightly with his lips. He wanted to kiss her again but didn't want to pressure her. So with that he turned and headed to where his limo was waiting, as he was about to get in, he turned back and smiled before giving her a soft wave. She waved back and walked into the house.
"Did you have a good time sir?" his driver asked.
Tobias couldn't help the smile that lit his face. "Indeed I did."
He had enjoyed having Tris on his arm this night and in his arms. He hoped there would be more nights like this one in their future. The decision was up to her if they would.
(A/N-Okay, so I decided to go back to where they originally met, to show how their relationship developed and so forth. So the next chapter will take place a year prior to this.)
*Almost one year ago*
Tris Prior was in a hurry, her interview with Tobias Eaton was in ten minutes and if not for the awful traffic this morning, she would not be in such a rush to make it. She was set to interview with Tobias Eaton at his law firm to be his secretary. She needed this job desperately to help her family. She had just arrived at her noon appointment and looked down at her appearance one last time when she noticed that she had a button undone, she continued walking as she tried to fasten it. She almost had it done when she tripped, and would have fallen if not for the arms that gathered around her...hips. She was practically in the man's arms as she tried to compose herself as best she could.
Strong arms were around her, big hands were holding her hips as she looked up,"I'm so sorry, thank you so-" she broke off as she looked into the bluest eyes she had ever seen. They held her spellbound for a few seconds, as she then saw his eyes move...to her now bra clad breasts. When she had fallen, her blouse had flown open and her chest was now being offered to his appreciative gaze.
"Are you alright?" the man asked, he had evidently composed himself and removed his gaze from her chest back to her face.
"Yes...thank you," Tris said as he helped her stand back up. She quickly fixed her blouse, but in the process of doing so she felt his gaze on her the whole time. She had a feeling of regret of not being in his arms any longer than she was.
"I would have fallen on my face if not for you," Tris said.
"Ah, well maybe it's all about timing then," the man said with a small smile on his handsome face.
"Maybe it is," Tris said.
"I've never met before had a woman fall for me quite so quickly. Usually I count on an introduction and a little flirtation before," he said,
She glanced up into his eyes again. Deep. Absorbing. Blue as the heavens. He was pure charm. And she had the distinct feeling he knew it.
Tris was about to reply to him, when she realized she was going to be late for her interview,"I must go," she said quickly as she darted around the man and headed towards the elevators. She quickly got on them and pushed the button for the floor.
As the doors were closing, she heard the handsome stranger call out,"Wait!" but it was too late, the doors were shutting on his face. Tris inwardly groaned, wanting to reopen the doors but she also knew she had too much riding on this job for her to pursue anything right now.
This job was her future, and her family rebuilding what was left of their lives. Her father, after her mother's death had fallen into a despair, his only outlet had been between drinking and gambling. Neither were good, but together there had been enormous ramifications. Ones she was literally paying for. Andrew Prior had ran up huge gambling debts, resulting in their home having to be put up as collateral. And even if they sold it today, it still wouldn't be near enough to pay back the loan shark her dad was in debt to.
David Jacobs.
Just the thought of that man gave her the shivers. The way he looked at her, why he was old enough to be her father. He had made several references that if she was nice to him, he would be nice to her and her father. But as much as she dearly loved her father, she couldn't do it. She had her father in a small rehab place, getting cleaned up. She had sold many of her things, only keeping the bare essentials to live on. Often she would do without and skip a meal here or there to help pay between the care her father received and the loan shark. But in paying the money back, meant she would have to see David.
"Now, Tris, you could really help pay this back quicker, if say you went with me on a holiday," David had just told her the week before. She had politely refused, but in doing so she could tell she had irritated him.
"You know, many a woman would jump at the opportunity that I am giving you," he had said as he had walked up to her and put his hands on her shoulders, letting his thumbs graze over her. She had almost puked at the initial impact of his touch on her, it made her skin crawl to have him do this to her.
"I'm sure many would, but I am not one of them," Tris had said as she had left his office, hearing his laughter from behind her in doing so.
How long could she fend him off, before he called in her father's debts? Tris felt sick at the thought of loosing everything. But how much more of this could she do? If this job fell through, her family was done for. She shook the image of the handsome stranger from her mind and focused on her appointment.
As she exited the elevator, she was shown to Tobias Eaton's office and was told to wait, that he would be here shortly for the interview. She smoothed her long skirt and looked around his office, he was obviously a man who liked his life nice and neat. She let out a breath and closed her eyes as she heard the door open behind her, she stood and held out her hand to see...the man who had saved her from falling on the floor.
"You?" Tris asked, clearly in shock over it being him.
"And it's you," Tobias Eaton said as he too was stunned to see the woman he had helped earlier. The same he had been thinking of for the last little while. Wondering who she was, why she was in his building? Was she seeking legal advice? Now to find out she was applying to be his secretary, it was almost too perfect.
"Forgive me, Tobias Eaton, at your service," Tobias said as he advanced toward her and held out his hand for her.
Tris took the hand he offered, and as soon as his fingers touched hers, she knew she'd made a mistake in touching him. The physical contact alone made her aware of him in a very unique way. She quickly went to pull her hand from his, only to feel his hand almost clamp down on hers. He clearly didn't want to let go of her. And she wasn't sure what to think. A part of her wanted him to keep his hands on hers, while the other was screaming at her to run from this man who was unsettling to her being.
The polite thing was to proceed with the interview and try to keep this as professional as she could. This job would determine everything for her. She once again tried to remove her hand, and she felt his grip ease on hers letting her go.
"Thank you for this chance, Mr. Eaton," Tris stammered out.
"Please, call me Tobias," he said,"Will you have a seat?" he motioned to the chair.
Tris nodded and took her seat, she watched as he went to his seat behind his desk.
"Here is my list of qualifications, including my schooling and previous jobs and references," Tris said as she handed him her papers. Tobias took them and started to read over them, everything she had listed qualified her for this opening.
"As I'm sure you're aware as my secretary, I'll be needing you to perform secretarial tasks that are specific to this law firm. Which will include, writing legal documents, such as summonses, motions, subpoenas, etc., conducting research and reading legal articles, and more, as well as standard secretarial duties, that might include answering phones and email, filing, creating and maintaining schedules for lawyers, ordering supplies, copying, faxing and maintaining the office," Tobias explained.
"I understand, and am more than willing to do so," Tris said.
"This job at time may require you to stay at the office long hours, and also to be ready at a moment's notice when I need you," Tobias explained.
Inward, Tris was thinking of how she was going to handle this obvious attraction she had for him. Was she going to be able to keep it at bay if she worked for him? Or was it better to change her mind and not take this job, knowing how desperately she needed it? In the end, she decided to go forth with this opportunity. "I'll be more than ready to assist you whenever you need me, if you give me this chance to prove it to you."
"There might also be times when we will have to travel to other cities, is that going to be alright with your family?" Tobias asked as he looked from her resume to her left hand, her third finger to be exact. He couldn't help the feeling of relief he felt upon seeing it bare, but he also reasoned, just because if was bare didn't mean she was available.
Damnit Tobias, pull it together, he told himself.
"Yes, that will be fine as well," Tris said, knowing her family consisted of just her and her father.
"One last question," Tobias said. "Why do you want this job?"
Tris inward was screaming, because if I don't my father will probably become an alcoholic again. Because they would loose their home. Because then she might be forced to do as David Jacobs wanted her to do. All those answers were depressing in their thoughts alone. She took a deep breath before she answered,"I want this job as a way to make a living. My heart is invested into this job, it lead me here."
For several seconds, Tobias was stilled into just looking into her eyes as she spoke. He could tell that this job was extremely important to her and he felt this pull to help her.
"Is something wrong?" Tris asked, as Tobias had to blink several times to snap out of it.
"I've got all the information I need, thank you very much Tris," Tobias said as he stood and started walking towards the door. Tris quickly followed him, looking quite downfallen.
"You start tomorrow at eight a.m.," Tobias said as he saw her face light up at his words to her.
"You mean it?" Tris asked, not believing she had heard right.
"Very serious. Now it's a probation period for 90 days, then you'll be re-evaluated." Tobias said with a smile forming on his face.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Eaton!" Tris said as the next thing Tobias knew, she was hugging him. Her hair was in his face, he couldn't help but to take a small sniff of it. Her arms were around him, her chest pressing into his.
"Oh!" Tris said as she quickly pulled back,"I apologize for that. I won't let you down though."
"I'm counting on it," Tobias said as he opened the door for her, she smiled as she started to walk out. He watched as she walked to the elevators and got on. He closed the door and walked over to his office window over looking the city.
"What are you doing Tobias?" he asked outwardly.
The holidays had a way of irony at times. As he had been heading to his office this very November morn, he had received a call from his dear mother, Evelyn. She has asked him what he wanted for Christmas, trying to get some ideas. He wondered how she would respond if he said what he wanted had just walked out of his office?